How to Be Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 28, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists is essential in providing individuals with physical and mental disabilities access to employment opportunities. Through the use of job coaching, career exploration, and assistive technology, these specialists help individuals develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The effects of this can be far-reaching, as successful vocational rehabilitation leads to increased job satisfaction, improved quality of life, and reduced reliance on government assistance.

employers benefit from increased diversity in the workplace, increased productivity, and decreased turnover. By helping individuals with disabilities develop the necessary skills to obtain and retain employment, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists play an important role in our society.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree. To become a vocational rehabilitation specialist, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology, social work, or counseling.
Obtain state licensure. Most states require vocational rehabilitation specialists to be licensed. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, but typically involve supervised experience, passing an exam, and completing continuing education.
Obtain vocational rehabilitation certification. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers voluntary certification for vocational rehabilitation specialists. To be eligible, you must have a master's degree in a related field, two years of experience in the field, and pass the exam.
Gain experience. Many employers require vocational rehabilitation specialists to have at least two years of experience in the field. You can gain experience through internships or volunteer work.
Stay up to date. Vocational rehabilitation specialists need to stay up to date with changes in the field, such as advances in technology and changes in state and federal regulations. Continuing education courses and seminars can help you keep your skills current.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist works to help individuals become skilled and competent in their chosen field of work. This is accomplished through various techniques such as developing an individualized plan of services, analyzing the individuals abilities and disabilities, and connecting them with resources to improve their skills. As a result of this effort, individuals are able to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to help them secure and maintain meaningful employment.

Through this process, individuals gain self-confidence, a sense of identity, and financial independence. the goal of the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is to help individuals become productive members of society and achieve their highest levels of personal, social, and economic well-being.

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Job Description

Assess individuals with disabilities to determine their vocational goals, capabilities, and needs.
Develop individualized plans that outline the training, education, and/or employment services needed to meet vocational goals.
Provide guidance and counseling to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Assist in developing an appropriate job description and job accommodations.
Develop individual service plans and review existing plans to ensure that goals are being met.
Monitor progress of individuals with disabilities in achieving their vocational goals and adjust services as needed.
Collaborate with community partners to identify services and resources for individuals with disabilities.
Prepare reports and documentation regarding the progress of individual service plans.
Track and analyze data related to the employment of individuals with disabilities.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws related to the provision of services for individuals with disabilities.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of disabilities and their effects
Knowledge of the social, economic, and educational implications of disability
Ability to assess individual needs and develop a personalized plan of services
Ability to coordinate services with other professionals in the community
Understanding of the laws and regulations related to vocational rehabilitation
Understanding of the principles of employment and job development
Knowledge of job search techniques and strategies
Ability to provide counseling and guidance to clients
Ability to effectively communicate with clients, employers, and other professionals
Knowledge of career exploration and interest assessment techniques
Knowledge of assistive technology and its use in vocational rehabilitation
Understanding of the principles of rehabilitation case management
Ability to provide job coaching and support services
Ability to develop positive working relationships with clients, employers, and service providers
Ability to collect and analyze data related to client progress and outcomes

Having strong communication skills is an essential skill for a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. Being able to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders is key to providing successful rehabilitation services. Good communication skills allow specialists to explain the benefits of vocational rehabilitation services, as well as any challenges or roadblocks that may arise during the process.

By being able to clearly articulate their points, they can help clients understand their options, and develop a plan of action that will lead to successful outcomes. good communication skills allow specialists to form strong connections with their clients and build trusting relationships. This is important because it allows them to provide the best possible care, and be empathetic to their clients needs.

With strong communication skills and empathy, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists can help their clients make strides and achieve their vocational goals.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in vocational rehabilitation?
Describe a successful case you have worked on with a client.
How do you approach providing services to clients with diverse backgrounds and needs?
What strategies do you use to help clients identify their career goals and develop a plan to achieve them?
How do you assess the skills and abilities of clients to determine their eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services?
How do you collaborate with other professionals, such as medical or mental health, to ensure the best outcome for clients?
What do you believe are the most important skills and qualities for a successful vocational rehabilitation specialist?
How do you help clients develop job search skills and build a resume?
Describe how you would assist clients with the transition from school to work.
What techniques do you use to help clients overcome barriers to employment?

Common Tools in Industry

Job Coaching. A specialized form of guidance and support that focuses on helping individuals gain the skills and confidence they need to be successful in a job. (eg: A vocational rehabilitation specialist might offer job coaching to a client with autism who needs help learning the specifics of a new position).
Job Shadowing. A method of training and learning that involves spending time observing someone else working in a specific job role. (eg: A vocational rehabilitation specialist might arrange for a client to job shadow a professional in their desired field to get an understanding of what the job entails).
Mentoring Programs. A type of support system that pairs an experienced professional with someone who is newer to the field. (eg: A vocational rehabilitation specialist might connect a client with a mentor who can provide guidance and support as they transition into a new career path).
Portfolio Development. An effective way to showcase a persons skills, accomplishments, and experience. (eg: A vocational rehabilitation specialist might help a client build a portfolio to demonstrate their qualifications to potential employers).
Employment Counseling. One-on-one guidance that helps individuals identify, prepare for, and pursue employment opportunities. (eg: A vocational rehabilitation specialist might provide counseling to a client who needs help developing their resume and interviewing skills).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (ARP)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
National Rehabilitation Association (NRA)
International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP)
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
Association of Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector (IARPPS)
National Organization on Disability (NOD)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
American Psychological Association (APA)

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Common Important Terms

Rehabilitation. The process of helping a person who is disabled or sick to live as independently as possible. It can include physical and occupational therapy, psychological counseling, job training, and other services.
Vocational Rehabilitation. A program that provides job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities, enabling them to work and become self-sufficient.
Disability Employment. Employment of people with disabilities in competitive jobs, typically in the private sector.
Job Coaching. A form of assistance that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for and succeed in their jobs. It includes teaching job-related skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and time management.
Job Accommodations. Alterations in the workplace or job duties that help to accommodate an employees disability.
Job Analysis. A systematic process of gathering information about a job and its requirements in order to evaluate it for recruitment, selection, and training purposes.
Career Development. A long-term process of helping individuals make informed decisions about their career paths and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist?

A Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is a professional who helps individuals with disabilities, health impairments, and other barriers to employment obtain and maintain successful employment.

What qualifications are needed to become a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist?

To become a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, one must have a minimum of a bachelors degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, special education, or a related field. Many states also require certification through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

What types of services does a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist provide?

A Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist provides a range of services to individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, including assessment and evaluation, job placement and counseling, job development, career planning, and job coaching.

How much does a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist typically earn?

The median salary for Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists in the United States is $53,121 per year. Salaries vary depending on experience, geographic location, and employer.

What is the job outlook for Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists?

The job outlook for Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists is expected to grow 10% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Web Resources

Vocational Rehabilitation | California State University, Northridge www.csun.edu
UCSF Citywide Employment - Vocational Rehabilitation Program vocrehab.ucsf.edu
B.S. Rehabilitation Services | University of Wisconsin - Stout www.uwstout.edu